sacerdotalism

American  

[sas-er-doht-l-iz-uhm] / ˌsæs ərˈdoʊt lˌɪz əm /

noun

1. the system, spirit, or methods of the priesthood.

2. Usually Disparaging. priestcraft.

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sacerdotalism British  

/ ˌsæsəˈdəʊtəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the principles, methods, etc, of the priesthood

2. the belief that ordained priests are endowed with sacramental and sacrificial powers

3. exaggerated respect for priests

4. derogatory power over people's opinions and actions achieved by priests through sophistry or guile

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Other Word Forms

• sacerdotalist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of sacerdotalism

First recorded in 1840–50; sacerdotal + -ism

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sacerdotalism

If Gregory of Heimburg embodies the revolt of the ruling classes against Rome, Hans of Niklaushausen shows us the restless spirit of opposition to sacerdotalism which was spreading among the lower strata of society.

From A History of The Inquisition of The Middle Ages; volume II by Lea, Henry Charles

In Europe we are accustomed to associate the ideas of sacerdotalism, hierarchy and dogma, mainly because they are united in the greatest religious organization familiar to us, the Roman Catholic Church.

From Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 1 by Eliot, Charles, Sir

The brooding egotism that chafed at the least control was not likely to show any sympathy with sacerdotalism.

From The Vagabond in Literature by Rickett, Arthur

The majority of these men have wholly lost the flavour of sacerdotalism.

From A Book of Prefaces by Mencken, H. L. (Henry Louis)

And his rule marks the epoch at which all that we regard as specially characteristic of mediæval Christianity--its ethics, its asceticism, its sacerdotalism, and its superstitions--had reached its lasting shape.

From The World's Greatest Books — Volume 12 — Modern History by Hammerton, John Alexander, Sir